Let’s be real — your CV is often the first thing an employer sees about you. Before they meet you, your CV does all the talking. So, if you want to land that interview, you’ve got to make sure it speaks loud and clear about your skills, potential, and personality.
Here’s how to make your CV stand out from the pile.
1. Keep It Clean and Easy to Read
No recruiter wants to squint through a messy layout or long paragraphs.
Stick to a simple format with clear sections like:
- Personal details
- Profile or summary
- Education
- Experience
- Skills
- Achievements or certificates
Tip: One page is enough if you’re starting out. Two pages max if you’ve got more to show.
2. Start Strong with a Personal Summary
Think of this as your elevator pitch. It’s your chance to tell the reader who you are in just a few lines.
Skip the clichés like “I’m a hardworking, motivated individual.”
Instead, be specific about what you love doing and what you’re good at.
Example:
“I’m a communications graduate passionate about digital storytelling. Experienced in managing social media campaigns and creating content that connects communities.”
See the difference? It’s short, real, and gives a sense of what you bring.
3. Show Results, Not Just Responsibilities
Anyone can say what they did — but what did you achieve?
For example:
❌ “Managed social media pages.”
✅ “Increased engagement by 35% through creative campaigns.”
If you can add numbers, do it. It instantly shows impact.
4. Customize for Every Job
Don’t send the same CV everywhere. Take a few minutes to tweak it for each opportunity.
Look at the job description — what skills or tools are they looking for? If it says “teamwork” or “project management,” make sure those appear clearly in your CV with examples.
5. Keep the Design Simple
Unless you’re applying for a creative role, skip the bright colors and fancy fonts.
Use something clean and professional — black text, white background, and maybe one highlight color if you want a touch of personality.
6. Double-Check Everything
Nothing kills a good impression faster than typos or wrong dates.
Read it out loud, use tools like Grammarly, or ask a friend to review it. Fresh eyes can catch mistakes you might miss.
Your CV Tells Your Story
At the end of the day, your CV should tell a story — your story.
It should show where you’ve been, what you’ve learned, and where you want to go next.
Remember: the goal isn’t just to get noticed. It’s to make someone say, “I want to meet this person.”